'Casablanca' - High-Def Digest review

[PeterB]

Just posted my 'Casablanca' review --

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/casablanca.html

Just what I expected -- a truly great disc with a terrific remaster and tons of extras. Great to see some true classics hitting HD DVD as well. Really, a must-own, I think...

[JU1CYFRU1T]

Damn you Peter... I'm trying to stop buying movies (because Christmas is coming, and people will need gift ideas), and then you post a review like this?!!!

Now when I get home, I'll be going to amazon... THANKS A LOT PETER!!!

[hmurchison]

Here's looking at you.....kid.

[irascian]

Originally Posted by PeterB

Just posted my 'Casablanca' review --

http://hddvd.highdefdigest.com/casablanca.html

Just what I expected -- a truly great disc with a terrific remaster and tons of extras. Great to see some true classics hitting HD DVD as well. Really, a must-own, I think...

Hoorah! Believe it or not I only saw this for the first time a few months ago (on the excellent DVD). I'm afraid I had to double-dip when I saw it was on HD-DVD, so good to know they've done a good job.

I've just had my "Special Edition" copy of "The Maltese Falcon" delayed until February (despite only being released last week) because apparently copies arrived "damaged" and sold out almost immediately. Anybody heard anything about this one coming out on HD-DVD? Fingers crossed that the "sold out" DVD is just a precursor to a new transfer made for HD-DVD.

[James99]

This and Robin Hood are 2 of my favourite movies of all time and both are out on HD DVD.

First saw this movie in a College class many years ago. Loved it ever since.

[The Bandit]

This is good news. Now where's Citizen Kane? Seriously, that's got to be my #1 HD DVD want (it would be Barry Lyndon, but I have that recorded in HD on the ol' DVR).

[irascian]

Originally Posted by The Bandit

This is good news. Now where's Citizen Kane? Seriously, that's got to be my #1 HD DVD want (it would be Barry Lyndon, but I have that recorded in HD on the ol' DVR).

Does it justify a High-Def release though, given the quality of the original material. Even in its "digitally restored" form I seem to recall it was in less than great shape, unlike "Casablanca".

[Tejstar]

Never owned this on DVD, after reading that review I’ll definitely pick it up on HD-DVD.

[-zombie-]

I'll rent this one based on Peter's glowing review but to be honest I really didn't care for the movie all that much. I realize it's considered a cinema great but perhaps it's too good for my collection.

[John32]

Originally Posted by irascian

Does it justify a High-Def release though, given the quality of the original material. Even in its "digitally restored" form I seem to recall it was in less than great shape, unlike "Casablanca".

Man, I agree. The standard DVD release of Kane looked impeccable and I can only imagine the HD DVD release. That's probably one of the best restorations of a classic film that I've ever seen. King Kong ('33) was well done as well and since that's one of my favorites I'd like to see it issued as well and since it's Warners it may be at some point!

Just added Casablanca to my three free Toshiba HD DVDs with that offer from the player. Great movie and I'd love to see Maltese Falcon & the Universal Monsters classics on HD as well.

[Cochise]

LOL, I had to really dig to resurrect this old thread.

I was reading this week's Home Media Magazine and noticed in the "Just Announced" titles on page 32 that Warner is bringing this to Blu-ray Dec. 12 in an "Ultimate Collector's Edition" for the incredible value of $64.99 MSRP.

I think I'll stick with my .

[messin18]

This movie was a snore fest.

[JackHunt]

Originally Posted by messin18

This movie was a snore fest.

Yeah, only a timeless classic that only gets better with every viewing.

A masterpiece of film. A study in human character. Bogart and Bergman. And everybody else. The greatest actor if all time and one of the most beautiful and talented woman to ever grace us with her presence. Casablanca will be studied and revered for generations and long after you and I are gone.

The Casablanca HD DVD is the main reason why I bought into HDM in the first place. A beautiful work of art and one of the greatest transfers to HD ever.

Please do not degrade something you obviously know nothing about.

[HDM-GHANDI]

I have been meaning to watch it, I got it around four or five months ago under $15 dollars and even my friends declare I should watch it soon. I am 35 years old and still haven't ever seen it. I wait for a good peaceful Sunday and I'll put it on probably.

[vinnie97]

Originally Posted by JackHunt

Yeah, only a timeless classic that only gets better with every viewing.

A masterpiece of film. A study in human character. Bogart and Bergman. And everybody else. The greatest actor if all time and one of the most beautiful and talented woman to ever grace us with her presence. Casablanca will be studied and revered for generations and long after you and I are gone.

The Casablanca HD DVD is the main reason why I bought into HDM in the first place. A beautiful work of art and one of the greatest transfers to HD ever.

Please do not degrade something you obviously know nothing about.

meh, it's all pretty subjective, isn't it, especially that "most beautiful and talented woman" bit? My mother is in her 70s and she's not enamored with this film...I'm inclined to agree with her but that's not to say I won't give it repeated viewings in the future.